PORTHCAWL is getting ready to be all shook up again as thousands of Elvis lovers descend on the seaside town for a weekend of festivities.

The eighth annual Porthcawl Elvis Festival kicks off tomorrow and the normally peaceful place is readying itself for its biggest weekend of the year.

Hotels across town are sold out, bars and restaurants have taken on extra staff and event organisers say this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever.

Peter Phillips, festival founder, said: “Just when we think the festival can’t get any bigger it does. All the signs are that it will be the biggest and the best yet.

“It’ll be chock-a-block in Porthcawl and it’ll be wall-to-wall Elvis.”

The unique celebration of The King – the biggest festival of its kind in the world – will kick off tomorrow with the first round of the Elvis competition in the Grand Pavilion.

As normal the official shows will take place in the Pavilion – with the showpiece Elvies award show – the world’s leading award show for Elvis Tribute Artists – on Saturday night.

Festival sponsors the Hi-Tide Inn will have more than 100 shows on across five bars over the course of the weekend, including Owen Money’s annual Radio Wales programme broadcast from the venue on Sunday.

Tickets for the official shows went like hot cakes and are mostly sold out but Mr Phillips said the plethora of events at various venues in Porthcawl mean there will be something for everyone.

“It has been like a runaway train and every bar and hotel has their own Elvis-related things going on,” he said.

“Even though the ticketed shows in the Grand Pavilion and in Hi Tide are sold out, there are loads of free shows for everyone to enjoy.”

New to the festival this year is the Bridgend County Borough Council-organised Elvis busking competition on the John Street Bandstand.

The contest, at noon on Saturday, will give anyone wanting to try an Elvis number a public platform – with £100 going to the best act.

“The busking is a new thing for this year and it will give everyone a chance to get involved,” added Mr Phillips.